Experts estimate there are nearly 300 adult loons living on Vermontís lakes and ponds, up from just a couple dozen 30 years ago.

Last week, more than 200 volunteers spread out across Vermont for the annual loon survey.

The results of the survey are trickling in, but Eric Hanson of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the coordinator of the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, said there are many more birds now than just a few years ago.

He said 15 years ago there were around 100 loons and in 1983 biologists counted only 29.

Hanson told Vermont Public Radio that 300 birds is ďa decent, stable population.Ē

He said that in north-central and northeastern Vermont, almost every large lake has loons on it.